Torkelson says renewable energy legislation will lead to higher bills

State Representative Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) said House Democrats have already approved legislation that will force all hardworking Minnesotans to pay more than $3 billion in tax and fee increases over the next two years alone, and now they want you to pay more for electricity.

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The Sleepy Eye Herald Dispatch

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Posted May. 15, 2013 at 4:00 PM

Posted May. 15, 2013 at 4:00 PM

Sleepy Eye, Minn.

State Representative Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska) said House Democrats have already approved legislation that will force all hardworking Minnesotans to pay more than $3 billion in tax and fee increases over the next two years alone, and now they want you to pay more for electricity.

“There’s nothing wrong with looking to utilize more renewable energy in this state,” Torkelson said. “But there is something very wrong when state government picks winners and losers in the energy industry and forces power companies to use the most expensive power source available.”

According to the details of the omnibus energy bill that was approved by the Minnesota House recently, Minnesota would be required to meet a 40 percent renewable energy standard by 2030 for investor-owned utility companies.

The most controversial aspect of this proposal centers on the four percent solar energy mandate – with the long term goal of 10 percent of all Minnesota’s energy come from this extremely expensive power source.

Torkelson said some estimates show that it could cost Minnesota power companies $26 billion to pay for the purchase of and cost of installing solar panels in this state – or roughly $20,000 for a family of four – in order to meet the 10 percent solar goal. Torkelson said there’s no doubt those costs will eventually be passed along to the consumer.

“The reality of this energy mandate is that every hardworking taxpayer is going to pay more each month for his or her electricity needs,” Torkelson concluded.